Forgotten Administrator Password

[Guest Mizz Dubber]

Hello!

 

I have a spare computer with Win 98SE that I haven't used for quite some

time. I recently attempted to fire her up only to discover that I've

completely forgotten my Administrator password. I can't get past the Windows

login screen.

 

Can anyone tell me what to do? Is there a way to reset it after proving my

identity or something like that? I've spent hours on the Win98 Knowledge

Base pages and found nothing!

 

Please email me at kaydubber@gmail.com

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

[Guest MEB]

Re: Forgotten Administrator Password

 

 

 

"Mizz Dubber" <Mizz Dubber@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:82954F8E-E435-458D-880F-8CE0B0B827F1@microsoft.com...

| Hello!

|

| I have a spare computer with Win 98SE that I haven't used for quite some

| time. I recently attempted to fire her up only to discover that I've

| completely forgotten my Administrator password. I can't get past the

Windows

| login screen.

|

| Can anyone tell me what to do? Is there a way to reset it after proving

my

| identity or something like that? I've spent hours on the Win98 Knowledge

| Base pages and found nothing!

|

| Please email me at kaydubber@gmail.com

|

| Any help is greatly appreciated.

|

| Thank you!

 

Unless you used policies, you have no administrator password.

 

IF you can't boot, and it doesn't get past the BIOS, you have a BIOS/CMOS

password. If so, we need the make and model of your computer to properly

advise how to clear it.

 

IF you're referring to the first logon screen and its asking for your

network password, then that can be cleared by starting in Safe Mode and

changing the setting in Networking from Microsoft Network client to Windows

Family Logon, then restarting.

 

IF already using Windows Family Logon, and you are not getting full access,

then you will need to do some modifications to the system to remove *.pwl

files and other aspects. However, before attempting to do this, please

advise the group so you can be properly directed.

 

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

________

[Guest Mizz Dubber]

Re: Forgotten Administrator Password

 

Thank you! I'm only semi-literate with computers and a lot of what you wrote

is Greek to me, LOL. However, I will print this out and show it to my

roommate who might know what it all means and the information you asked

about. He's the one who set up my computer for me and knows much more about

it than I do.

 

I will post his answers and questions soon.

 

Thanks again!

 

"MEB" wrote:

>

>

> "Mizz Dubber" <Mizz Dubber@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:82954F8E-E435-458D-880F-8CE0B0B827F1@microsoft.com...

> | Hello!

> |

> | I have a spare computer with Win 98SE that I haven't used for quite some

> | time. I recently attempted to fire her up only to discover that I've

> | completely forgotten my Administrator password. I can't get past the

> Windows

> | login screen.

> |

> | Can anyone tell me what to do? Is there a way to reset it after proving

> my

> | identity or something like that? I've spent hours on the Win98 Knowledge

> | Base pages and found nothing!

> |

> | Please email me at kaydubber@gmail.com

> |

> | Any help is greatly appreciated.

> |

> | Thank you!

>

> Unless you used policies, you have no administrator password.

>

> IF you can't boot, and it doesn't get past the BIOS, you have a BIOS/CMOS

> password. If so, we need the make and model of your computer to properly

> advise how to clear it.

>

> IF you're referring to the first logon screen and its asking for your

> network password, then that can be cleared by starting in Safe Mode and

> changing the setting in Networking from Microsoft Network client to Windows

> Family Logon, then restarting.

>

> IF already using Windows Family Logon, and you are not getting full access,

> then you will need to do some modifications to the system to remove *.pwl

> files and other aspects. However, before attempting to do this, please

> advise the group so you can be properly directed.

>

> --

> MEB

> http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

> ________

>

>

>

>

[Guest glee]

Re: Forgotten Administrator Password

 

Assuming you mean the Windows logon box in Win98, you can clear the password and

create a new one, this way:

Start the computer.

If the log-on box comes up to type in a user name and password, click Cancel.

Click Start> Find> Files or Folders, choose the C: drive in the 'Look In' box, and

in the 'Named' box, type: *.pwl

(That's asterisk dot pwl)

Click Find Now.

 

In the list of found files, right-click each file, and then click Delete. Repeat

until all of the .pwl files are deleted.

Close the Find box.

Restart the computer.

 

Log in as what ever name you want to create, leave the password box blank, and click

OK...NOT Cancel.

If it asks to confirm the password, leave it blank again and click OK.

 

Afterwards, to find any desktop items or Start Menu items that you may not see, open

Windows Explorer, expand the C:\Windows\Profiles folder tree, and drag needed items

from the Start Menu and desktop subfolders for the profiles(s), to the

C:\Windows\Start Menu folder tree, and the C:\Windows\Desktop folder.

 

Also read here:

 

How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at Startup:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=152104

 

No Windows or Network Logon Dialog Box at Startup

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=141858

--

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+

http://dts-l.org/

http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

 

"Mizz Dubber" <Mizz Dubber@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:82954F8E-E435-458D-880F-8CE0B0B827F1@microsoft.com...

> Hello!

>

> I have a spare computer with Win 98SE that I haven't used for quite some

> time. I recently attempted to fire her up only to discover that I've

> completely forgotten my Administrator password. I can't get past the Windows

> login screen.

>

> Can anyone tell me what to do? Is there a way to reset it after proving my

> identity or something like that? I've spent hours on the Win98 Knowledge

> Base pages and found nothing!

>

> Please email me at kaydubber@gmail.com

>

> Any help is greatly appreciated.

>

> Thank you!

[Guest Mizz Dubber]

Re: Forgotten Administrator Password

 

 

 

"glee" wrote:

> Assuming you mean the Windows logon box in Win98, you can clear the password and

> create a new one, this way:

> Start the computer.

> If the log-on box comes up to type in a user name and password, click Cancel.

> Click Start> Find> Files or Folders, choose the C: drive in the 'Look In' box, and

> in the 'Named' box, type: *.pwl

> (That's asterisk dot pwl)

> Click Find Now.

>

> In the list of found files, right-click each file, and then click Delete. Repeat

> until all of the .pwl files are deleted.

> Close the Find box.

> Restart the computer.

>

> Log in as what ever name you want to create, leave the password box blank, and click

> OK...NOT Cancel.

> If it asks to confirm the password, leave it blank again and click OK.

>

> Afterwards, to find any desktop items or Start Menu items that you may not see, open

> Windows Explorer, expand the C:\Windows\Profiles folder tree, and drag needed items

> from the Start Menu and desktop subfolders for the profiles(s), to the

> C:\Windows\Start Menu folder tree, and the C:\Windows\Desktop folder.

>

> Also read here:

>

> How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at Startup:

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=152104

>

> No Windows or Network Logon Dialog Box at Startup

> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=141858

> --

> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+

> http://dts-l.org/

> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

>

>

> "Mizz Dubber" <Mizz Dubber@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:82954F8E-E435-458D-880F-8CE0B0B827F1@microsoft.com...

> > Hello!

> >

> > I have a spare computer with Win 98SE that I haven't used for quite some

> > time. I recently attempted to fire her up only to discover that I've

> > completely forgotten my Administrator password. I can't get past the Windows

> > login screen.

> >

> > Can anyone tell me what to do? Is there a way to reset it after proving my

> > identity or something like that? I've spent hours on the Win98 Knowledge

> > Base pages and found nothing!

> >

> > Please email me at kaydubber@gmail.com

> >

> > Any help is greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Thank you!

>

>

[Guest Mizz Dubber]

Re: Forgotten Administrator Password

 

Well! I see the reply I posted didn't post! I'll try again.

 

To clarify, it's the Master password (I think) I've forgotten. It's the

first screen you see after turning on the computer and finishes all the start

up stuff. It's a blue screen with a box for the password. I can't get past

that screen without a password.

 

I had a thought. We're in the process of dismantling the spare computer and

using parts here and there for our other computers. I just need all the info

from the hard drive transferred to my new WinXP computer. Could I just

remove the hard drive from the spare and install it in the new computer? Or

will it still require a password?

 

I will pass all your suggestions on to my roommate and see if he is able to

solve the problem. I will report back soon.

 

Thanks again!

 

"glee" wrote:

> Assuming you mean the Windows logon box in Win98, you can clear the password and

> create a new one, this way:

> Start the computer.

> If the log-on box comes up to type in a user name and password, click Cancel.

> Click Start> Find> Files or Folders, choose the C: drive in the 'Look In' box, and

> in the 'Named' box, type: *.pwl

> (That's asterisk dot pwl)

> Click Find Now.

>

> In the list of found files, right-click each file, and then click Delete. Repeat

> until all of the .pwl files are deleted.

> Close the Find box.

> Restart the computer.

>

> Log in as what ever name you want to create, leave the password box blank, and click

> OK...NOT Cancel.

> If it asks to confirm the password, leave it blank again and click OK.

>

> Afterwards, to find any desktop items or Start Menu items that you may not see, open

> Windows Explorer, expand the C:\Windows\Profiles folder tree, and drag needed items

> from the Start Menu and desktop subfolders for the profiles(s), to the

> C:\Windows\Start Menu folder tree, and the C:\Windows\Desktop folder.

>

> Also read here:

>

> How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at Startup:

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=152104

>

> No Windows or Network Logon Dialog Box at Startup

> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=141858

> --

> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+

> http://dts-l.org/

> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

>

>

> "Mizz Dubber" <Mizz Dubber@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:82954F8E-E435-458D-880F-8CE0B0B827F1@microsoft.com...

> > Hello!

> >

> > I have a spare computer with Win 98SE that I haven't used for quite some

> > time. I recently attempted to fire her up only to discover that I've

> > completely forgotten my Administrator password. I can't get past the Windows

> > login screen.

> >

> > Can anyone tell me what to do? Is there a way to reset it after proving my

> > identity or something like that? I've spent hours on the Win98 Knowledge

> > Base pages and found nothing!

> >

> > Please email me at kaydubber@gmail.com

> >

> > Any help is greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Thank you!

>

>

[Guest Don Phillipson]

Re: Forgotten Administrator Password

 

Mizz Dubber wrote:

> We're in the process of dismantling the spare computer and

> using parts here and there for our other computers. I just need all the info

> from the hard drive transferred to my new WinXP computer. Could I just

> remove the hard drive from the spare and install it in the new computer? Or

> will it still require a password?

 

Yes -- assuming you have a vacant IDE connector

you can just add the old hard drive to the new

PC, the WinXP will recognize the extra drive, and

you can just copy stuff over. This is the simplest

way to transfer any bulky data.

 

Look on the Internet for instructions how to

connect an IDE drive. You need to check whether

its jumper (movable switch on the back panel) is

set right (as Master or Slave unless you have

special autodetecting cables.) IDE drives allow

connecting two drives via a single socket and must

be thus differentiated.

 

Don P

Carlsbad Springs, Canada

[Guest glee]

Re: Forgotten Administrator Password

 

Replies inline....

"Mizz Dubber" <MizzDubber@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:D0E188F4-80C0-403B-A5BB-DD90BFFBDD90@microsoft.com...

> Well! I see the reply I posted didn't post! I'll try again.

>

> To clarify, it's the Master password (I think) I've forgotten. It's the

> first screen you see after turning on the computer and finishes all the start

> up stuff. It's a blue screen with a box for the password. I can't get past

> that screen without a password.

 

The screen I was referring to in my reply is the Windows 98 logon screen, and it

looks like this:

http://www.guidebookgallery.org/pics/gui/startupshutdown/login/win98.png

 

That does not appear to be what you are referring to. Your description appears to

be a password screen *before* any portion of Windows ever loads.....is that correct?

You see only a blue screen with a password box, and no OK or Cancel buttons? If

that's the case, it sounds like a BIOS password. Clearing a BIOS password is a

whole other process, but based on what you stated below, you may not want to bother

with it.

 

> I had a thought. We're in the process of dismantling the spare computer and

> using parts here and there for our other computers. I just need all the info

> from the hard drive transferred to my new WinXP computer. Could I just

> remove the hard drive from the spare and install it in the new computer? Or

> will it still require a password?

 

If you just want the data off the hard drive in the 98 computer, then yes, you can

slave it into the XP computer and copy off what you want via Windows Explorer.

 

> I will pass all your suggestions on to my roommate and see if he is able to

> solve the problem. I will report back soon.

>

> Thanks again!

 

OK.

>

> "glee" wrote:

>

>> Assuming you mean the Windows logon box in Win98, you can clear the password and

>> create a new one, this way:

>> Start the computer.

>> If the log-on box comes up to type in a user name and password, click Cancel.

>> Click Start> Find> Files or Folders, choose the C: drive in the 'Look In' box,

>> and

>> in the 'Named' box, type: *.pwl

>> (That's asterisk dot pwl)

>> Click Find Now.

>>

>> In the list of found files, right-click each file, and then click Delete. Repeat

>> until all of the .pwl files are deleted.

>> Close the Find box.

>> Restart the computer.

>>

>> Log in as what ever name you want to create, leave the password box blank, and

>> click

>> OK...NOT Cancel.

>> If it asks to confirm the password, leave it blank again and click OK.

>>

>> Afterwards, to find any desktop items or Start Menu items that you may not see,

>> open

>> Windows Explorer, expand the C:\Windows\Profiles folder tree, and drag needed

>> items

>> from the Start Menu and desktop subfolders for the profiles(s), to the

>> C:\Windows\Start Menu folder tree, and the C:\Windows\Desktop folder.

>>

>> Also read here:

>>

>> How to Prevent a Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me Logon Prompt at Startup:

>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=152104

>>

>> No Windows or Network Logon Dialog Box at Startup

>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=141858

>>

>>

>> "Mizz Dubber" <Mizz Dubber@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:82954F8E-E435-458D-880F-8CE0B0B827F1@microsoft.com...

>> > Hello!

>> >

>> > I have a spare computer with Win 98SE that I haven't used for quite some

>> > time. I recently attempted to fire her up only to discover that I've

>> > completely forgotten my Administrator password. I can't get past the Windows

>> > login screen.

>> >

>> > Can anyone tell me what to do? Is there a way to reset it after proving my

>> > identity or something like that? I've spent hours on the Win98 Knowledge

>> > Base pages and found nothing!

>> >

>> > Please email me at kaydubber@gmail.com

>> >

>> > Any help is greatly appreciated.

>> >

>> > Thank you!

 

--

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+

http://dts-l.org/

http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm